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Keys to History

The first women students at McGill were nicknamed the Donaldas, in recognition of the businessman Donald Smith, Lord Strathcona, whose financial generosity made it possible, in 1884, to overcome the resistance of McGill administrators. In 1898, Lord Strathcona again contributed to the promotion of education for women. He was also the main donor for Royal Victoria College, which was at once a residence, a teaching institution and an intellectual centre for women at the university.